The horse grazers at Queen Elizabeth Park (QEP) were this week (Monday 17 October) given notice by Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) that they must vacate the park by end of November 2022.  This was less that six weeks notice.  The horses have been grazing at QEP for 30 years.  They are returning the land to a natural habitat and wetlands.

QEP covers 638 hectares, the horses only graze on 20 acres. They have stated the grazing is no longer suitable for horses, even though they have successfully grazed on the park for 30 years!

The major issue here is the horses have no where else to go, there are at least 30 of them, there is little to no suitable grazing within the Kapiti region.  There are some very stressed horse owners trying to work out what they can do, this may put them into the position of having to sell their horses or rehome them, in some case some of these horses will not be in the position to be rehomed. These horses are much loved animals that are a part of these peoples family, this is a heartbreaking situation for these owners.

This petition is not only for the horses owners at QEP, for decades people have brought there families to the park and the horses have been a huge attraction!

The grazers were told that were going to be located to somewhere else in the park, so that had been given no indication this would happen and there was no consultation with the Grazers.

The GWRC plan confirms that that the removal of grazing related to livestock, not recreational horses. 

Many people have contacted GWRC and now they and Kapiti Stables have given grazers an extension until Mid December.  This is still not enough time.  

Please show your support by signing this petition for the horses to remain at QEP or at the very least be given 6 months notice to find somewhere else to graze them.

Just remember that this could happen anywhere, so would be great to get support from around New Zealand.

Thank you for your support!